Solar Cells Info

Toronto, Feb 02, 2009
Source: Canadian Solar Inc, press release
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=196781&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1250809

Canadian Solar Inc. today announced the official opening of its new PV Cell Research Center. The new center is located in the Company’s solar cell Fab II in Suzhou and consolidates all of the Company’s R&D facilities in one place.  The purpose of the center is to improve the efficiency and production yield of both regular polysilicon cells and our proprietary solar grade e-cells. CSI has been actively investigating several high efficiency solar cell structures, including selective emitter, N-type and back-contact cells. The Company has ongoing research programs with DuPont, University of Toronto and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. (more…)

by Rick Merritt, EE Times, San Jose, CA, 27 Jan 2009
Source: EETimes.com
http://www.eetimes.com/news/design/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212903004

A San Jose startup has licensed materials technology that can harvest energy from infrared light, boosting the efficiency of solar cells. Solexant aims to commercialize one of many advances under development at a photonics institute at the University of Buffalo.  “This is a very exciting period as new dimensions in photonics keep emerging in areas such as energy and health care,” said Paras N. Prasad, executive director of the university research group, speaking in a keynote at Photonics West here. (more…)

This year is critical for copper-indium-gallium-selenide panel makers to show that all those huge private equity founds and factory plans will make them formidable competitors in the global solar market in the next few years, says report.
by: Ucilia Wang, January 30, 2009
Source: Greentech Media.com Report
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/report-cigs-could-supply-3gw-of-solar-panels-by-2012-5625.html

They have raised huge capital. They have built factories and even attracted some buyers. Could this year be the starting point when stronger CIGS players emerge?  In a new solar report forecasting production and comparing technologies, Greentech Media analysts certainly believe so.  “We expect some of them to ramp up production in 2009 – they are getting to commercial volumes. That will give them a definite edge when it comes to cost,” said Shyam Mehta, a senior analyst at Greentech Media. Mehta co-authored the report, “PV Technology, Production and Cost, 2009 Forecast,” with Travis Bradford, founder of the Prometheus Institute and a Greentech Media advisor. (more…)

Source: Solid State Technology, February, 2009
http://www.solid-state.com/display_article/352194/5/none/none/Dept/Wafer%E2%80%93based-solar-cells-aren%E2%80%99t-done-yet

The solar industry’s recent growth spurt has shown that success brings new challenges. Once content to salvage silicon scrap from the integrated circuit industry, wafer–based solar cells have become the largest consumer of high–purity silicon. As a result, manufacturers of wafer–based silicon solar cells are caught between rising raw material costs on one side, and less expensive alternative technologies on the other. (more…)

CEO, CFO and CSO to Drive Company’s US Manufacturing Ramp-up
Austin, Texas, February 4, 2009
Source: HeioVolt Corp. press release
http://www.heliovolt.net//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=142&Itemid=95

HelioVolt Corporation, a producer of highly efficient thin-film solar energy products, today announced additions to its executive management team as the company builds out its US manufacturing capacity. Board member Ron Bernal has been appointed as interim chief executive officer and Sanjeev Kumar, the former CFO of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) has joined the company as chief financial officer; founder Dr. BJ Stanbery will serve as chief strategy officer and chairman of the board. The board will conduct an international search for a permanent CEO to lead the company in its next phase of growth as a manufacturer of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules. (more…)

by Rachel Tompa, 4 Feb 2009
Source: Xconomy.com
http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/02/04/
uw-startup-soluxra-to-form-around-organic-solar-cell-technology/

A new startup company is in the works at the University of Washington, based on inexpensive, portable solar cells that could go far beyond the standard rooftop model. Conventional solar cells are made from expensive silicon, but the UW group, led by materials science and engineering professor Alex Jen, has come up with a way to harness solar energy using thin polymer film—akin to really thin cling wrap. (more…)

R. Colin Johnson, EE Times,
Portland, Oregon, 3 Feb 2009
Source: EETimes.com
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=213000692

Thin-film solar cells can use inexpensive, low-temperature processing to stack amorphous silicon and germanium photovoltaic layers atop a reflective foil backing. By using multiple layers with semiconductor junctions tuned to different wavelengths of light, thin-film module makers claim that their solar cells are not only cheaper, but could outperform expensive crystalline solar cells in many climates. (more…)

By Stephanie Stohr, G-Online, 30 Jan. 2009
Source: G-Online.com
http://www.gmagazine.com.au/news/1193/scientists-develop-spray-solar-panels

A new type of spray-on solar panel will make the cells cheaper and production more efficient.  Taking a leaf from the beauty industry, scientists have devised a way to make solar panels cheaper and more efficient – by spraying them on.  Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), solar company Spark Solar Australia, and Finnish materials company Braggone Oy are collaborating on a three-year project that could transform the production of solar cells.  “I think it has a big chance of success,” said Keith McIntosh, lead researcher from the ANU, “It’s an exciting possibility.” (more…)

Tempe, Az., Feb. 4, 2009
Source: Surfect Technologies, Inc, press release
http://surfect.ir.stockpr.com/news/detail/101/
surfect-technologies-announces-first-concentrator-module-shipment-and-higher-solar-efficiency-results-using-plated-metal-technology-achieves-major-milestones-towards-mass-commercialization-and-lower-solar-costs

Surfect Technologies, Inc, a provider of advanced interconnect and packaging solutions for solar cells, LED and power management applications, today announced a number of key milestones for the company including:
– successful demonstrations for leading solar manufacturers of copper plating over silver paste on solar cells using Surfect’s proprietary tool and process technology, which resulted in 0.5-0.6% higher efficiency or 4-5% increased energy capture from solar cells;
– demonstration of new metallization process for solar manufacturers that allows copper metal deposition directly on bare silicon using DEP technology, which is expected to result in 1.2% to 2.0% higher efficiency or 5% to 10% increased energy capture(1) versus silver paste, at lower cost than competing metal plating systems;
– design and shipment of the first concentrator package for a European customer that uses rugged packaging technology and Surfect’s advanced wafer-level interconnect solutions producing 3x concentration, providing a more building integrated module and lowering the solar cost per watt.
(more…)

By Scott Kirsner, December 14, 2008
Source: Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/
2008/12/14/raising_capital_for_rays_of_energy/

Earlier this year, Bob Metcalfe called Frank van Mierlo, the chief executive of the solar start-up 1366 Technologies Inc., to see whether it was OK for Metcalfe’s venture capital firm to put a few million dollars into a similar business.  “We don’t go forward with a new investment that might be competitive with one of our existing companies, unless both CEOs are comfortable with it,” explains Metcalfe, an investor at Waltham’s Polaris Venture Partners. (more…)